god
Get To Know Your Gatekeeper
When I was a little boy, my mother used to tell me that I needed to get to know my gatekeeper. I was already praying to God, but she wanted me to be more aware.
She would sit me down and explain that God was overseeing everything in the Universe and that everyone was given assignments to fulfill, from the Guardian Angels all the way down to humans. And God has assigned to each of us a gatekeeper.
At the time I didn’t understand all that much, or even cared to be honest. But throughout my life’s journey I have learned not only more about myself and my mission in this lifetime, but I have also come to understand how important it is to be connected to a higher consciousness. Continue reading
Seeing Clearly By Way Of Faith
Most of us face a roller-coaster life. We have our ups and downs, our trials and tribulations. We sometimes feel tempted to say things we shouldn’t, and we are sometimes unable to put that chocolate chip cookie down when we know we should.
We live in a world where there are temptations all around us. That little voice in our head tells us to do it, when our intuition says it would hurt us. We are sometimes left conflicted and double-minded.
But when we have faith we act and speak wisely. Faith helps us to choose the path of wisdom and it instills insight. When we choose to think negatively, and turn away from faith, that is when obstacles enter into our life. Continue reading
The Sun Will Rise Again
The world seems to be fighting against us. Just as soon as we get out of the bitterest cold winter of our lives, we are hit with extreme heats, tornadoes, storms. Thor, on his winged horse, has ridden through… angry, wild, crazed, keeping all of us on our toes.
In our lives, in our relationships, we have all sorts of weather as well. These ups and downs, the setbacks, the craziness of life and love sometimes make us feel that the Sun has left us forever. It seems as if even the clouds try to cover up its warmth, heat, its nurturing, smiling face. Yet, the Sun always rises to bring light to a new day.
The bright light of the sun shows all in truth, both the harsh and good. Although we can’t see him behind the tornado, behind the storm, he is there. Behind the darkening clouds that overshadow all the light, that trouble the skies with lightening, thunder, and rain, the Sun remains like the Most High Spirit of Light. He is still there. Continue reading
Winter May Come, But Spring Will Always Follow
The delicate African Violets on my window sill are beautiful this season. The window is the best place for them, as each one soaks up the sunlight from the East. The Sun smiles on them this morning.
The key thing with violets that many people don’t realize is that we hurt them the most by over-watering. Water is a good thing for plants, right? Violets, however, are native to the tropics where heat, sun, and a dry atmosphere is more prevalent.
The unique needs of these violets teaches us how to follow our own path. This is the true beauty of nature. See, each of us is different. When we look around us, we can’t follow someone else’s path, or be jealous, or worried that the path they are following is different from our own. Continue reading
What Did You Give Up For Lent?
You’re out with your friends on a Friday night and suddenly you notice that one of them has switched from his favorite microbrew beer to lemonade? Is it time for Lent already?
Giving up something for Lent sometimes evokes head-scratching in non-Catholics, but what might seem like just another Catholic eccentricity can actually be a practice with deep spiritual significance.
Lent, the period of 40 days that precedes the celebration of Easter, has its origin in the early days of the Church. This year Lent began on March 5th and it ends on April 17th.
Converts seeking to become Christian, who at that time were mostly adults, spent several years in study and preparation. Under the threat of Roman persecution, becoming a Christian was serious business, so their process of preparation was intensive. Then they went through a final period of “purification and enlightenment” for the 40 days before their baptism at Easter. The rest of the Church began to observe the season of Lent in solidarity with these newest Christians. It became an opportunity for all Christians to recall and renew the commitment of their baptism. Continue reading
Empath Unplugged At Bath Spa
The host at Burghope Manor country inn in Bradford-on-Avon, England, is a very wise man. He has seen many travelers come and go over the years, and obviously knows what is best for each of them.
When I told him I had downloaded an audio tour on my iPod, from the local tourism website, and was going to do a “Jane Austen walk” through the historic town of Bath, he gave me a skeptical look like only the British can and said, “You might want to stop by the Roman Baths first. It is a must-see, but go there early in the morning, before the tour groups arrive from London.”
Well, who am I to argue with such a determined a messenger of the Universe?
Arriving at the Roman Baths Museum, I was planning to have a quick 30 minute browse around and then go off in pursuit of the famous Ms Austen’s favorite haunts. Well, what is usually a 90 minute visit for most to the baths, if you use the museum’s audio guide, became for me a four hour metaphysical adventure. Continue reading
A Sign From Apollo At The Delphic Oracle
Would you not do the same if you were going to visit the remains of the legendary sanctuary of Apollo at Delphi, Greece? Well, I did! I humbly requested a simple sign or personal omen from the god of light, truth and prophecy, while I was planning my recent European tour*. I knew for several months before I undertook this odyssey that Apollo would not disappoint, but ultimately I received much more than I had anticipated.
The renowned oracle who communicated Apollo’s messages to the people, and the priests who interpreted them, no longer ply their trade at this once glorious place, but Apollo has certainly not abandoned his remarkable temple. He still answers the call of mortals here, despite the fact that most of us now live in a world devoid of the mystical and the miraculous. Yes, he certainly does. I have proof.